Adapter bracket for use with a gas igniter

ABSTRACT

An adapter bracket for securing a gas igniter to a support surface. The gas igniter having an axis and including a cylindrical outer surface having an outer diameter. The adapter bracket being formed by a bracket body extending in a longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end wherein the bracket body is curved about a clip axis transverse to the longitudinal direction thereby forming a clip portion near the first end of the body. The clip portion being shaped to receive the cylindrical outer surface of a gas igniter having an opening sized smaller than the outer diameter of the igniter outer surface to retain the gas igniter relative to the bracket such that the igniter axis is parallel to the clip axis. The bracket body further including a slot near the second end which extends at a slot angle from the longitudinal direction wherein the slot angle is between 45° and 90°.

[0001] This invention relates to the art of brackets for supporting agas igniter and, more particularly, to an adapter bracket for supportinga gas igniter relative to a support surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is, of course, well known that a gas igniter can be used toignite a flammable gas for use in connection with all types of heatingapplications. Further, it is well known that the gas igniter must besupported relative to a support surface in the heating apparatus so thatthe gas igniter is spaced from the support surface and properly orientedrelative to the gas flow. The present invention is particularlyapplicable for use in connection with heating applications and,therefore, the invention will be discussed with particular reference toa heating application. However, the invention has broader applicationsand may be used with any type of appliance and/or heating apparatuswhich utilizes a gas igniter.

[0003] In order to support the gas igniter, a bracket must be utilizedwhich can be securely fastened to the gas igniter without damaging thegas igniter and which can be securely fastened to a support surface inthe heating apparatus. Further, the bracket must be capable ofwithstanding the environments in which the gas igniter is to be used. Inthis respect, gas igniters are used to ignite a flammable gas which inturn is used to provide the heat for the heating apparatus. As a result,the gas igniter and support bracket are subjected to high temperaturesproduced by the burning gas. In addition, during the function ofigniting the gas and the operation of the heating apparatus, the gasigniter and bracket are subjected to vibrations. Therefore it isbeneficial if the bracket is capable of withstanding and absorbing shockwhile maintaining the proper orientation of the igniting element of thegas igniter. Furthermore, due to the adverse conditions in which theigniter and brackets are used, it is also beneficial if the bracket ismade from a material resistant to corrosion.

[0004] While prior art gas igniter brackets are designed to adequatelymaintain a gas igniter in an operating position, many differentlyconfigured prior art brackets are required to handle the many differentheating applications. In this respect, while prior art bracket arecapable of holding the igniting element of the igniter in the properorientation relative to the flow of flammable gas, they are limited to aparticular gas igniter and a particular heating apparatus. The manyconfigurations of gas igniters and the many heating apparatuses havenecessitated the use of many differently configured brackets for use ineach of the particular applications. This results in high inventorycosts to maintain proper inventory of the many different brackets neededfor the different applications and also higher installation costsespecially when the needed bracket configuration is not available to theworker installing the gas igniter. Furthermore, prior art brackets donot sufficiently absorb vibrations produced by the heating apparatusthereby reducing the life expectancy of the gas igniter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accordance with the present invention, provided is an adapterbracket which can be used in connection with several gas igniters tosecurely mount the gas igniter onto a wide range of support surfaces. Inthis respect, an adapter bracket in accordance with the presentinvention includes a bracket body having a flexible clip portion on oneend which can clip onto an outer cylindrical surface of severaldifferent types of gas igniters and an angled slot on the other endwhich allows the adapter bracket to be securely fastened to a wide rangeof support surfaces. By utilizing the flexible clip portion along withthe angled slot configuration, the adapter bracket according to thepresent invention can be used in connection with many applicationswithout necessitating the inventory of many differently configuredbrackets. Furthermore, an adapter bracket according to the presentinvention can be used in connection with a pre-bracketed gas igniterswhen the preassembled bracket cannot be used with a particularapplication. This further reduces inventory costs and reduces thelikelihood that the installer will need to wait for a specific bracket.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention is that the angled slotis part of a mounting leg which further includes a downwardly extendingflange which helps prevent rotation of the adapter brackets about thefastener and relative to the mounting surface.

[0007] Yet another aspect of the present invention is that the bracketbody further includes a connecting leg between the flexible clip and themounting leg which extends upwardly from the mounting leg so that theclip portion and gas igniter are spaced from the heating apparatus. Inaddition, the bracket body can further be made from a shock resistantmaterial so that the connecting leg acts as a shock absorber to absorbany shock and/or vibrations produced by the heating apparatus and thefunction of the gas igniter thereby increasing the useful life of thegas igniter system.

[0008] Even yet another aspect of the present invention, the bracketbody can be made from a non-corrosive material to further increase theuseful life of the bracket.

[0009] The primary object of the present invention is the provision ofan adapter bracket which can be used in connection with a wide range ofgas igniters and a wide range of heating apparatuses so that one bracketcan take the place of several supporting brackets.

[0010] Another object is the provision of an adapter bracket of theforegoing character that can maintain the igniting element of the gasigniter in an operating position even under severe conditions.

[0011] Still another object is the provision of an adapter bracket ofthe foregoing character that can be easily secured to the gas igniterand to the support surface.

[0012] A further object is the provision of an adapter bracket of theforegoing character which has shock absorbing characteristics.

[0013] Yet a further object is the provision of an adapter bracket ofthe foregoing character which can be used in connection withpre-bracketed gas igniters to allow the pre-bracketed igniters to beused with a wider range of heating applications.

[0014] Another object is the provision of an adapter bracket of theforegoing character which is economical to manufacture, easy to use inthe field and which securely retains the gas igniter in an operatingposition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The foregoing objects, and others, will in part be obvious and inpart be pointed out more fully hereinafter in conjunction with a writtendescription of a preferred embodiment of the present inventionillustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adapter bracket in accordancewith the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the adapterbracket shown in FIG. 1 and a gas igniter having a pre-bracketedfitting;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the adapterbracket and the gas igniter shown in FIG. 2 which is secured to asupport surface;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the adapterbracket shown in FIG. 1 securing another gas igniter to a supportsurface;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5; and,

[0022]FIG. 7 is a top view of the adapter bracket, gas igniter andsupport surface shown in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] Referring now in greater detail to the drawings wherein theshowings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment ofthe invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention,FIGS. 1 and 4 show an adapter bracket 10 for supporting a gas igniter.The adapter bracket having a bracket body 12 which extends in alongitudinal direction 13 between a first end 14 and a second end 16.Body 12 is made from a single piece of shock resistant metal and ispreferably made from 430 series stainless steel which is approximately0.025 inches thick. This construction allows the bracket to absorb shockand to withstand the harsh environment in which the gas igniter can beused.

[0024] Body 12 includes a mounting leg 18 on first end 14 which has awidth 20 transverse to longitudinal direction 13 and has a longitudinallength 22. It is preferred that width 20 is approximately 0.885 inches.Mounting leg 18 further includes a slot 24 which extends at a slot angle26 from longitudinal direction 13 which is less than 90°. In thisrespect, angle 26 is between 70° and 85° and preferably around 80°. Theangle of slot 24 allows bracket 10 to be mounted onto a range of supportsurfaces which will be discussed in greater detail below in connectionwith the remaining figures. In addition, slot 24 has a slot length 28extending at slot angle 26 which is preferably approximately 0.475inches and a slot width 30 which is preferably approximately 0.170inches. Mounting leg 18 is substantially planar having sides 40 and 42extending in longitudinal directions 13 and having sides 44 and 46extending transverse to the longitudinal direction. Body 12 furtherincludes a downwardly extending flange 48 on mounting leg side 44.Flange 48 extends downwardly at a flange angle 50 from a bottom side 52of mounting leg 18. Flange angle 50 is slightly greater than 90° and ispreferably about 100°. Mounting leg 18 further includes a top side 54opposite to bottom side 52. Flange 48 has the same width as mounting leg18 and, therefore, extends along all of side 44 of mounting leg 18.Flange 48 includes a flange edge 56 and flange sides 58 and 60 on eitherside of flange edge 56. Flange 48 has an inner flange surface 62 facingtoward mounting leg 18 and an oppositely facing outer flange surface 64.Flange 48 works in connection with the mounting leg to prevent movementof bracket 10 relative to the support surface which will also bediscussed in greater detail below.

[0025] Body 12 further includes a connecting leg 70 extendinglongitudinally from side 46 of mounting leg 18 between connecting legends 72 and 74. Connecting leg 70 has a longitudinal length 78 and awidth 80 wherein width 80 is less than width 20 of mounting leg 18.Further, connecting leg 70 extends upwardly from mounting leg 18 at aconnecting leg angle 76. Angle 76 should be between 5° and 20° and ispreferably around 10°. By extending upwardly at angle 76, connecting legsuspends the gas igniter above the support structure of the heatingapparatus and also absorbs vibrations produced by the heating apparatusthereby shielding the gas igniter from the apparatus vibrations whichwill be discussed in greater detail below.

[0026] Body 12 further includes a clip portion 90 extendinglongitudinally from end 74 of connecting leg 70. Clip portion 90includes an upwardly extending segment 92, a circular segment 94, adownwardly extending segment 96, and a lip segment 98. Clip portion 90has a substantially uniform width 100 which is less than mounting legwidth 20 and which is equal to connecting leg width 80. Further, it ispreferred that width 100 is approximately 0.600 inches. However, itshould be noted that width 100 could be different than connecting legwidth 80 without detracting from the invention of this application. Clipportion 90 has a downwardly facing surface 90 and an oppositely facingupward surface 104 which extend continuously along segments 92, 94, 96,and 98.

[0027] Upward segment 92 has a bottom end 105 which is joined toconnecting leg 70 at connecting leg end 74 and the upward segment is atan upward segment angle 106 from connecting leg 70. Upward segment angle106 is less than 90° and is preferably about 72°. Upward segment furtherincludes an upward end 110 which is joined to a first end 112 ofcircular segment 94 which is curved downwardly at a radius of 0.584inches. In order to interengage with the gas igniter, circular segment94 extends circumferentially greater than 180° about clip portion axis114. Preferably, circular segment 94 extends circumferentially 215°about clip axis 114 between first end 112 and a second end 116. Byextending 215° about clip axis 114, clip portion 90 can be securelyfastened to the outer cylindrical surface of the gas igniter without useof separate fasteners. Lip segment 98 extends from second end 116 ofcircular segment 94 and together with upward segment 92 define adownwardly facing opening 130 of clip portion 90 which is preferablyapproximately 458 inches. Lip segment 98 includes a base end 132 whichis joined to second end 116 of circular segment 94 and a distal end 134which represents the end of clip portion 90. Lip segment 98 furtherproduces a ramping effect to orient the outer surface of the gas igniterrelative to downward opening 130. In this respect, lip segment 98 iscurved away from opening 130 thereby providing a ramp to direct theouter service of the gas igniter into opening 130. While clip portion 90includes distinguishable segments 92, 94, 96, and 98, these segments area continuous part of body 12 and act as a unified component. As clipportion 90 is pressed onto the outer surface of the gas igniter, one ormore of the segments flex to allow clip portion opening width 136 toexpand thereby allowing the gas igniter to pass through opening 130 andbe retained in a clip inner portion 138 of clip 90 such that the igniteraxis is parallel to clip axis 114.

[0028] As is shown in FIGS. 2-7, adapter bracket 10 can be used inconnection with both a gas igniter 150 which includes a preassembledbracket 152 and a gas igniter 250 which does not include a preassembledbracket. Referring first to FIGS. 2-4, gas igniter 150 is shown whichincludes bracket 152 have a mounting leg 160 with a slot 162 and athrough hole 163. Bracket 152 is configured for a particular mountingapplication. Bracket 152 further includes a cylindrical sleeve 164having an outer surface 166 with an outer diameter 168 which is coaxialto a gas igniter axis 170. Gas igniter 150 further includes an ignitingelement 172 which is electrical and which is supplied power throughwires 174 and 176. Adapter bracket 10 is secured to gas igniter 150 bypressing clip portion 90 over outer surface 166 of igniter 150. Moreparticularly, opening width 136 of downwardly facing opening 130 is lessthan outer diameter 168 of outer surface 166. As a result, outer surface168 engages lip segment 98 and upward segment 92 as clip portion 90 isbeing installed on the outer surface. Clip portion 90 is then pressedtoward the gas igniter until at least one of segments 92, 94, 96, and/or98 flexes so that lip segment 98 moves away from upward segment 92thereby allowing the outer surface 166 to enter inner portion 138 of theclip. It is preferred that the gas igniter is placed on a smooth, flatsurface while the clip is secured onto the outer surface to preventdamage to the igniter. Once in place, clip portion extends more thanhalf way about outer surface 166 thereby retaining the outer surface inthe clip portion by spring force in an operating position 178. When inoperating position 178, igniter axis 170 is parallel to clip axis 114.

[0029] Once gas igniter 150 is secured to clip portion 90, adapterbracket 10 can be fastened to a support surface 190 of the heatingapparatus with mounting leg 18. Support surface 190 is composed of ahorizontal surface 192 and a vertical surface 194. Adapter bracket 10and gas igniter 150 are fastened to support surface 190 by fastener 196which extends through slot 24 and which is secured to threaded hole 197in horizontal surface 192. Fastener 196 is shown to be a threadedfastener having threads 198 and a head 200, however, other fastenersknown in the art could be used to secure the bracket and the gas igniterto the support surface. Hole 197 is at a spacing 199 from verticalsurface 194 which can vary from one heating apparatus to the next.Furthermore, even if the installer creates hole 197, the placement ofthe hole may vary. The angular orientation of slot 24 allows bracket 10to be used in connection with a range of spacings 199 so that bracket 10can be used in connection with many support surfaces. In this respect,based on the value of spacing 199, bracket 10 can be moved along surface192 in a direction 202 until a portion of slot 24 is aligned with hole197 and flange 48 is flush with the support surface. Fastener 196 isthen installed through slot 24 in hole 197. The engagement betweenflange 48 and the support surface prevents rotation of bracket 10relative to the support surface.

[0030] With particular reference to FIG. 4, adapter bracket 10 holds gasigniter 150 above surface 192 in operating position 178 and furtherprovides shock protection for the gas igniter. In this respect, bottomside 52 of mounting leg 18 is juxtaposed surface 192 when adapterbracket is in operation position 178. Therefore, connecting leg 70,which is at an angle from mounting leg 18, extends upwardly from surface192. The angle in which connecting leg 70 extends upwardly from surface192 is equivalent to connecting leg angle 76 discussed above. Byextending upwardly, a gap 204 is formed between connecting leg 70 andsurface 202 wherein bracket 10 can flex about connecting leg end 72.Since bracket body 12 is made from a shock-resistant material, bracket10 does not transfer vibrations from support surface 190 to igniter 150thereby increasing the useful life of the igniter. In addition, theangle of connecting leg 70 also provides spacing between gas igniter 150and surface 192 which prevents the gas igniter from contacting surface190 and damaging the gas igniter. As stated above, bracket 10 and gasigniter 150 are prevented from rotating about fastener 196 by theengagement between flange 48 the support surface.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 5-7, gas igniter 250 is shown which does notinclude a preassembled mounting bracket. Igniter 250 includes acylindrical outer wall 264 having an outer surface 266 with an outerdiameter 268 which is coaxial to a gas igniter axis 270. Gas igniter 250further includes an igniting element 272 which is electrical and whichis supplied power through wires 274 and 276. Adapter bracket 10 issecured to gas igniter 250 in the same fashion as gas igniter 150discussed above. Namely, the clip portion is pressed over outer surface266 of igniter 250 until outer surface 266 enters inner portion 138 ofthe clip. As with the bracketed igniter 150, it is preferred that thegas igniter is placed on a smooth, flat surface while the clip issecured onto the outer surface to prevent damage to the igniter. Once inplace, clip portion extends more than half way about outer surface 266thereby retaining the outer surface of the igniter in the clip portionby spring force in an operating position 278. When in operating position278, igniter axis 270 is parallel to clip axis 114.

[0032] Once gas igniter 250 is secured to clip portion 90, adapterbracket 10 can be fastened to a support surface 190 of the heatingapparatus in the same fashion as described above with respect to gasigniter 150. In this respect, adapter bracket 10 and gas igniter 250 arefastened to support surface 190 by fastener 196 which extends throughslot 24 and which is secured to threaded hole 197 in horizontal surface192 and includes a washer 195. The angular orientation of slot 24 allowsbracket 10 to be used in connection with a range of spacings 199 so thatbracket 10 can be used in connection with many support surfaces. Theengagement between flange 48 and the support surface prevents rotationof bracket 10 relative to the support surface. Furthermore, bracket 10holds gas igniter 250 above surface 192 in operating position 178 andfurther provides shock protection for the gas igniter as described abovewith respect to gas igniter 150. In this respect, connecting leg 70,which is at an angle from mounting leg 18, extends upwardly from surface192 forming a gap 204 between connecting leg 70 and surface 202. Thisconfiguration allows bracket 10 to flex about connecting leg end 70. Inaddition, the angle of connecting leg 70 also provides spacing betweengas igniter 250 and surface 192 which prevents the gas igniter fromcontacting surface 190 and damaging the gas igniter.

[0033] While considerable emphasis has been placed on the preferredembodiment of the invention illustrated and described herein, it will beappreciated that other embodiments can be made and that many changes canbe made in the preferred embodiment without departing from theprinciples of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be distinctlyunderstood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpretedmerely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

Having thus described the invention, it is so claimed:
 1. A bracket forsecuring a gas igniter to a support surface, the gas igniter having anaxis and including a cylindrical outer surface having an outer diameter,said bracket comprising a bracket body extending in a longitudinaldirection between a first end and a second end, said body being curvedabout a clip axis transverse to said longitudinal direction forming aclip portion near said first end, said clip portion being shaped toreceive the cylindrical outer surface of an igniter and having anopening sized smaller than the outer diameter of the igniter outersurface to retain the igniter relative to the bracket such that theigniter axis is parallel to said clip axis, said body further includinga slot near said second end extending at a slot angle from saidlongitudinal direction, said slot angle being between 45 and 90 degrees.2. The bracket according to claim 1, wherein said slot angle is between45 and 85 degrees.
 3. The bracket according to claim 1, wherein saidslot angle is approximately 80 degrees.
 4. The bracket according toclaim 1, wherein said slot has a slot length extending at said slotangle which is approximately 0.475 inches.
 5. The bracket according toclaim 1, wherein said bracket body is made from a single strip of metal.6. The bracket according to claim 5, wherein said strip of metal isapproximately 0.025 inches thick.
 7. The bracket according to claim 1,wherein said body further includes a central point dividing said bodyinto a first section between said first end and said central point and asecond section between said second end and said cental point, said firstsection including said clip portion and said second section includingsaid slot, said first and second sections having widths transverse tosaid longitudinal direction and said width of said second section beinggreater than said width of said first section.
 8. The bracket accordingto claim 1, wherein said body further includes a central point dividingsaid body into a first section between said first end and said centralpoint and a second section between said second end and said centalpoint, said first section including said clip portion and said secondsection including said slot, said second section including a downwardlyextending end flange by said second end.
 9. The bracket according toclaim 8, wherein said end flange is at said second end and is generallyperpendicular to said longitudinal direction.
 10. The bracket accordingto claim 1, wherein said body further includes a central point dividingsaid body into a first section between said first end and said centralpoint and a second section between said second end and said centalpoint, said first section including said clip portion and said secondsection including said slot, said body further including a connectingleg between said central point and said clip portion, said support legsupporting said clip portion and the igniter above said support surface.11. The bracket according to claim 10, wherein said bracket body is madefrom a single strip of shock resistant metal.
 12. The bracket accordingto claim 11, wherein said first and second sections have widthstransverse to said longitudinal direction and said width of said secondsection is greater than said width of said first section.
 13. Thebracket according to claim 12, wherein said second section includes adownwardly extending end flange by said second end.
 14. The bracketaccording to claim 1, wherein said clip portion includes a circularsegment extending circumferentially about said clip axis greater than180 degrees and curved lip segment a said first end.
 15. The bracketaccording to claim 14, wherein said circular segment extendscircumferentially about said clip axis between 190 and
 250. 16. Thebracket according to claim 1, wherein said opening width is between0.300 and 0.625 inches.
 17. The bracket according to claim 16, whereinsaid opening width is approximately 0.458 inches.
 18. The bracketaccording to claim 14, wherein said circular segment has a diameterbetween 0.450 and 0.700 inches.
 19. The bracket according to claim 18,wherein said circular segment has a diameter of approximately 0.584inches.
 20. The bracket according to claim 1, wherein said opening facessaid support surface and said body further includes a connecting legbetween said slot and said clip portion supporting said clip portionabove said support surface.
 21. A bracket for securing a gas igniter toa support surface, said igniter having an axis and a cylindrical outersurface having a diameter, said bracket having a mounting leg forattachment to said support surface, an arcuate clip portion forreceiving an igniter, said clip portion having an opening smaller thanthe diameter of the outer surface of the igniter and facing the supportsurface, and a connecting leg between said mounting leg and said clipportion, said connecting leg supporting said clip portion spaced fromthe support surface.